i64 
First Notes of the Season. 
ateels; Black-cheeked and Peach-faced Lovebirds; Sydney 
Waxbills; Masked, Diamond. Red-Mountain, Violet, Geoff- 
roy's, and Brusli Bronze-wing Doves, Indian Bullfinches, and 
Goldfinches; Red-headed Buntings, Bicheno's, Ruficauda, 
Gouldian, and Masked Finches; besides several interesting 
cross-matings, of which more later. Very many of the above 
were soon busy, either incubating a clutch of eggs or feeding 
young in the nest, and though the actual results fall far beyond 
the hopes raised by their apparent earnestness and energy, yet 
one cannot see so much of the little life histories of a varied col- 
lection of birds without being greatly fascinated and perma- 
nently interested in their doings, however little they may 
interest others. 
All the above promise and energy has only resulted, to 
date (Tune 24th), in the following successes (i.e. young birds 
on the wing except where otherwise stated ) : 
5 Long-tailed Grassfmches (Pocpliila acuticauda ) . 
10 Zebra Finches (Tacwiopxgia castaiiutis ) from three nests. 
I Green Cardinal ( (i iihcr)wtri.r cristattis). 
I Pope Cardinal (Paroaria larz'ata). 
4 Geoflroy's Doves (Pcvistcra gcoffroyi) . three of which are 
cocks. These are really Ijeaiitiful doves, comparatively 
small and good breeders in an outdoor aviary. The cock 
is a beautiful light grey with three pur]>le bars; the hen a 
pretty brown with three bars. Two more young in the nest. 
1 Red-Mountain Dove (Gcotrygoii niujitaiia ) . 
2 Diamond fdcopclia ciiiicata) and i Masked Doves (Ocua 
capcnsis) on the wing. 
Budgerigar ( M ch> pslttacus uiuhilafiis ) , c|uite a number on 
the wing. 
A few remarks on the demeanour of the birds mj.y be 
more interesting than the table of actual results. 
DOVES: — 
Tin-: Gkoffrov's Dovf.s did not agree with a pair f:)f 
Peaceful Troves, but are at present in company with pairs 
of Violet, Green-wing, Masked, Diamond, Red-Mountain, and 
an odd Bleeding-heart. The other pairs are all breeding, gei- 
ting on well, and young should duly appear. 
